"This document contains project instructions for EX-16-02, the first ROV cruise of the 2016 field season. Operations for this cruise will include ROV, CTD, and mapping system shakedowns and exploration throughout the main Hawaiian Islands as time allows. The expedition will be staged in and out of Honolulu, HI with operations beginning on February 12th and concluding on February 17th. Operations will use the ship's deep water mapping systems (Kongsberg EM302 multibeam sonar, EK60 split-beam fisheries sonars, Knudsen 3260 chirp subbottom profiler sonar, Teledyne RDIWorkhorse Mariner and Ocean Surveyor ADCPs), a new Underway CTD system to support mapping, NOAA's two-body 6,000 m remotely operated vehicle (ROVs Deep Discoverer and Seirios) system, and the ship's high-bandwidth satellite connection for real-time ship to shore communications. ROV dives will mostly be conducted during the day, and multibeam, singlebeam, and sub-bottom acoustic mapping will occur when the ROV is on deck. Target areas for operations will be identified prior to the cruise. However, exact locations of discrete ROV dives and mapping activities will be determined during the cruise as results of engineering and shakedown tests are evaluated and once weather and operational constraints are factored in"--Overview.

Ocean Exploration Program
Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)